Parish News

The Parish of Muckno in the Diocese of Clogher is based in and around the town of Castleblayney (Baile na Lorgan) in Co Monaghan, Ireland. Made up of around 1,600 families it has a population of

St. Mary's Cemetery

just over 5,000. The parish has two churches, St Mary's Castleblayney, and St Patrick's, Oram.

In addition, it is home to the Sisters of Mercy and the patients and staff of St Mary's Hospital.

The town of Castleblayney is located approximately 100kms north of Dublin, along the N2 route, and some 5kms from the border with Northern Ireland. County Monaghan's largest lake, Lough Muckno, forms the centre of the parish territory. The lake gave its name to the parish and also to a medieval monastic site at Mullandoy on its northern shore. This monastery was founded by St Maoldóid – a member of the Hanratty clan who were rulers of the local kingdom of Uí Meith - and stretches back to at least the second half of the 7th century. The monastery and the termon lands of Muckno (the area north of the lake) had strong links with St Colmcille and the monastic settlement at Iona in Scotland. In fact, it is now believed that the placename Oram is derived from St Odhran of Iona, a relative of Colmcille, whose cult was venerated in this area.

Today, amidst the beautiful surroundings of God's creation, the People of God that form the parish here at this point in time continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in union with the Catholic Church throughout the world. As a Christian community, our mission is to share in Christ's prophetic office, to give witness to him "by a life of faith and love and by offering to God a sacrifice of praise" (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, No. 12).

If you are new to our parish, you are welcome! To register with the parish why not make yourself known to one of our Priests? Or contact the Parish Office at 042-9740027 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-3.30pm) or email:
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